So It's Been a While

Dear Sisters,

Yes, I've been quiet for a bit.  Sorry about that.  I do have at least one larger post brewing - steeping would be a better term - and will share it out when the time is right.

I've been living in a new place for over 2 years and this summer noticed that a new Frank was making an appearance.  Odd, yes, but I was happy to see him.  I miss my Northern Frank.  This past weekend I got a couple new bird feeders and a squirrel feeder as well.   So far I've only put out the bird feeders as I need to grab my screwdriver and figure out the placement for the squirrel feeder on the bush in front of the window. 

I came down the stairs this morning to see the cats looking intently through the window at something outside.  I rounded the corner and saw that Southern Frank was enjoying the suet cake I had put out for the birds.  He made a mess of it but was thoroughly enjoying it.

It looks like I need to hang up the squirrel feeder I picked up this past weekend.  Soon.

Sincerely,

Sister Jane
Psalm 18:30

Seasons of Life - What Do You Read?

This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;  

He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30

Dear Sisters,

There are seasons to our lives like there are seasons during the year.  Some seasons we look forward to, some seasons we can't wait for them to finish.  This past year has been a season for me that I wouldn't wish on anyone and it's one that I hope is nearing the end.

No matter the season of life, Scripture is important.  Ground yourself in the Word during the good and the not-so-pleasant seasons.  During this season I'm in, I have found that reading some additional books to help me make sense of Scripture has been good practice.  Below is the list of books that I found helpful and they are listed in no particular order.

The Cup and the Glory: Lessons on Suffering and the Glory of God by Greg Harris:
I had actually started reading this book before the not-so-pleasant season began.  Looking back I can see God's hand at work with me finding the book and picking it to add to my nighttime reading pile. Harris does a great job using Scripture to explain suffering.  This is not a book to read through fast.  Take it slow so that you may fully understand and process the concepts that Harris is discussing.  Sometimes Greek words are pulled into the discussion but the words are defined well and not in such away as to be above anyone's head.

As Silver Refined: Answers to Life's Disappointments by Kay Arthur:
This not a short book but Arthur's style of writing demonstrates how much she cares for her readers; how much she wants them to see God at work in the disappointments we go through in life and to trust in God and His sovereignty.  There is also a Bible study section at the back of the book in case you want to use that to help you dig even deeper into the concepts Arthur discusses in the book.

Living Victoriously in Difficult Times by Kay Arthur and Bob & Diane Vereen:
This is a simple way to do inductive Bible study that you can do on your own or with other people.  The first half of the study focuses on suffering: how we are not immune to it, it will not separate us from the love of God, and it is part of God's process to refine and purify us to reflect His image.  The last half of the study looks at how we are to live out the truths of suffering in our daily lives.

Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free by Tullian Tchividjian:
Tchividjian sets out to look at the reality of suffering in this book.  He points out that suffering is going to happen - Scripture says so - and that there is a wrong way to look at suffering.  When suffering brings us to your knees, we should be looking to the cross remembering Who suffered for us and suffers with us and the grace He provides us. 

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero:
'It's impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.'  Scazzero sets out to prove this through Scripture, research, and his own personal journey as a pastor, husband, and father. There is a discussion of the symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality,  the six stages of faith, how to deal with the 'Wall- the dark night of the soul', and how to grow into an emotionally mature adult.  Each chapter also ends with a prayer.  Give this book a try to learn more about your own emotional maturity level and how it affects your spiritually.

The Emotionally Healthy Woman by Geri Scazzero:
Written by the wife of the pastor that wrote Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, she talks about 8 things that women need to quit.  Quit being afraid of what others think and quit denying anger, sadness, and fear are 2 of the 'quits' that she covers.  Scazzero uses Scripture, her own personal experience, and research to support her list of 'quits.'

How to Forgive When You Don't Feel Like It by June Hunt:
This is a book that my mom gave me.  I'm thankful that God pointed her in the direction of this book to have it sent my way.  This is a great book to give to someone who is struggling to forgive another person.  I wouldn't recommend giving it to a person right after they have experienced a painful event (abuse, an attack, betrayal, etc), but when the person comes around to knowing that they need to forgive the other person, this book is a great resource.  I also recommend that people read it even if they have no one in particular to forgive.  The book does a great job of using Scripture to define what forgiveness is and is not and that is extremely important because not everyone has the correct definition of forgiveness.  Examples: Forgiveness is not the same thing as reconciliation; forgiveness is not excusing the wrong or letting the guilty 'get away with it;' Forgiveness is handing the offender over to God and trusting that God will provide the consequences to the offender in His time and in His way.

Sisters, what books have been helpful to you during various seasons of your life? Please share those books and how they helped you in the comments.

Thank you!

Sister Jane
Ps 18:30

Being Single in a Couples World

Dear Sisters,

Events in my life over the past couple months have been interesting.  Some bad things happened, some difficult things happened.  God's grace has carried me through and I am thankful.  Through all of this I observed that many churches don't know how to deal with single people who haven't fulfilled the American church model of coupling up in high school or college and being married soon after. 

Families / couples in churches have a rhythm in their lives.  It's a rhythm that can be similar from one family / couple to another.  That's why you see families hanging out together because maybe their kids are of similar age or are in similar after-school activities.  Or you see couples that hang out together because they have things like activities, jobs, or backgrounds in common.  These are good things.  It's good for people to fellowship with others.  

The issue that I've observed is that many families / couples in churches don't know how to incorporate single people into their rhythm.  Single people seem to disrupt the flow and ruin the harmony.  This is not how it should be.  True, Single Adult J will not fit in with every family at church but there should be at least 1 family that they harmonize with beautifully.  The single person may alter the rhythm a little but maybe a family could use a little jazz in their lives. 

Yea for musical inspiration!  Single people can only make a family's or couple's rhythm better.  They may have the unique sound the family band has been waiting for to make it even better than before.  I have friends outside of church where we make great music together.  I fit right in and that is one of the best things for me as I live in an area far from my family.  For me the hard part has been trying to find a family / couple band to join in the church.  It has not been an easy task and it is incomplete.  I work during the day so I can pay my bills which means that doing things with other ladies in the church during the day time when many are available is nearly impossible for me.  It's awkward trying to schedule things on a weekend with families because for many people that is family time and I feel like I'm intruding into the family's rhythm instead of providing a delightful musical accent.  It's a work in progress and I'm doing my best not to give up.

Sisters, maybe you are part of a couple and have been thinking about similar things lately.  Maybe you're a single person who struggles with this as much as I do.  As I've thought through this topic over the past few weeks I've come up with a few tips and thoughts that might be of some use.  The order given does not indicate any preference or rank to the tip.

Tips for families / couples:
1. Find ways to include a single person into your family.  Invite them over for game night, to go out with you on a fun shopping trip that involves a shared hobby or interest, to join you for lunch.  Make them feel welcome and not like they are intruding.
2. When traditional family holidays come around (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) consider inviting them over to join your family.  The single person may be far from family and being with a different family can help lessen the loneliness. I am extremely thankful for the people that invited me to join them during their family's gatherings. 
3. A single person could become an additional "aunt" or "uncle" to your children.  Be careful though about  taking advantage of them by turning them into free babysitters and errand runners for you.  They may be willing and glad to help out but take care that you don't ruin the relationship you've developed by using them too much.  But if the single friend volunteers to watch the kids so you can have a date night, do take them up on their offer.  This is their way of saying thank you and that they care for you and your family.  Turning down that act of love isn't a good idea.
4. Don't play matchmaker for the single people in your life.  Just because you're married doesn't mean everyone else is supposed to be.  If you think you've found the "perfect" person for your single friend, take it to the Lord in prayer to be sure and WAIT on His answer.   Setting up the person could really backfire and cause the loss of the friendship you have with the single person.

Tips for churches:
1. Don't try to set up your single people with other single people in the church.  When the relationship goes bad one of those singles if not both will leave your church.  Trying to get both of them to stay after the break up will only increase the size of the wound created by the break up in the first place.
2. Single people are gifted by the Spirit as well so find ways to encourage your single people to use those gifts in the church.  Don't ignore your single women and don't assume they are only useful in children's ministries.  Many women are gifted in areas that do not involve children.    
3. Cultivate a culture in your church where everyone feels comfortable and confident in following God's will for their life even if that means being single.  Put a simpler way: stop making single people feel bad for being single.  God doesn't intend for everyone to be married. 
4. A singles ministry can be a good thing but it could also isolate the singles in your church depending on the focus and activities of that ministry.  Don't use the ministry to create couplings.  Help your singles to become a part of the church family so aim for all-inclusive church activities.

Thoughts for singles:
1. Be willing to invite yourself into a family activity.  This one is hard for me because growing up I was taught NOT to invite myself to someone's home. If you have a schedule that is very flexible as to when you can hang out, let that family know that you'd really like to hang out and that your schedule is flexible as to when that can happen.  Yes, you may feel awkward but you can do it.
2. Figure out what your spiritual gift is and find away to use it in your church. 
3. Join in with some of the group activities at church.  This could be the way that you find other people in church who have common outside-church interests.  If there are no group activities, consider organizing a game night at church.  Ask people to bring board games; set up a Wii machine with a projector; make it a potluck meal.  Interacting with people in this way can be a good thing.
4. Be careful about isolating yourself from others.  Be thankful that people are reaching out to you.  Step outside your comfort zone and say "yes" to some invites.  You never know how God will use your time with those other people. 


The above lists are what I was able to think of - I was surprised that I could come up with 4 ideas for each section  - and are by no means the authority on how singles and non-singles are to relate to one another.  I'd love to hear your tips and thoughts because I'm sure I missed somethings.  Please share them in the comments.

Sister Jane
Psalm 18:30

Consolation

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  Luke 2:25

When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19

Dear Sisters,

A belated Merry Christmas to you and yours.  This holiday had me busy with family and travel so posting a Christmas "hello" was not at the top of my to-do list.  But I think we all understand the busyness of the holidays and chose to have family as a priority.  The inspiration for this post did come after a long day of travel to stay with my parents for Christmas.  Last year was the first time I wasn't with my family for the holidays and I wasn't going to repeat that set of circumstances this year.

During my many hours drive, I passed through a few towns and in those towns are churches and in front of many of those churches are signs.  Because of the season many of those signs might say things like "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" or "Merry Christmas" or "All we want for Christmas is your Presence."  As I got closer to my parent's house, I passed a church with a sign that read "Jesus is Our Consolation."

I admit that when I first read that sign my thoughts went to the idea of consolation as in consolation prize.  The dictionary defines consolation prize as a prize that is given to someone who has not won a contest.  I was like "wait a sec, Jesus isn't a second best prize! He lived a sinless life and died so that I may have eternal life.  Jesus isn't a consolation; He's the best prize a person could have; He's the grand prize."  Maybe your thoughts go there as well when you hear people referring to Jesus as a consolation.

I rolled the idea of Jesus as our consolation around in my head some more.  If I looked that the phrase "Jesus is Our Consolation" from a different side, Jesus as a consolation prize is a great thing.  Why?  Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Taking this information and combining it with Romans 6:23 which says "the wages of sin is death."  According to Scripture, the grand prize that I deserve as a sinner is death.  Since what I deserve is death, then the last part of Romans 6:23 explains why Jesus is our consolation: "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I thought about the idea of consolation some more.  The dictionary defines consolation as the act or an instance of trying to make (someone) feel less sadness or disappointment.  A synonym for consolation is comfort.  Digging into my Bible dictionaries I found that the Greek word for consolation and comfort is paraklesis (Strongs 3874).  Paraklesis means an exhortation, admonition, or encouragement for the purpose of strengthening and establishing the believer in the faith. 


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

Think about the comfort that we receive from God.  We know that the comfort doesn't always mean that the struggles go away but we do know that He is there for us to hold onto during the struggles.  We know that His purpose is being worked out in us; that the things taking place in our lives are not random.  Personally I find comfort in this.  Yes, we will have sufferings but we will have comfort as well.

Yes, initially my brain went in the wrong direction when I saw the sign.  But after more thought and study, we can see that Jesus IS our consolation, our comfort.  His sinless life, death on the cross, and resurrection are the best consolation for which a person could ask.  That consolation prize is a free gift too! (Romans 6:23) 

Sisters, I pray that you will cling to the fact that Jesus is our consolation and comfort as we head into a new year.  Take sometime today to thank God for the comfort He has provided and will provide us.

Sincerely,
Sister Jane
Ps 18:30

ps: It's been awhile since I've shared some creature photos with you.   Here you go!

T was helping me while I worked on this post:

 

 I was packing for a trip a few months ago and S jumped in the suitcase thinking she could go with me.  :)

Part of a Body

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

I Corinthians 12:12-19

Dear Sisters,

Have you ever sat in the sanctuary at church, looked around, and thought about the different functions people have at church?  There is the pastor(s), the musician(s), the choir members, the music leader, and the sound people.  Those are the people that we notice most often in the church because what they are doing is very visible.  But have you thought about the "behind-the-scenes" people?  Someone had to prepare the coffee that you picked up from the fellowship hall that morning.  Someone folded the bulletin that you picked up as you walked in the church doors.  Someone arranged the decorations in the sanctuary.  Someone is taking care of the babies and young ones during the worship service.  The worship service that you participate in wouldn't be possible without ALL of the behind-the-scenes and in-the-scenes people doing what they do.

I recently finished a study on Spiritual Gifts with a lady from church.  We discovered that the gifts given to us by God can be broken into 2 basic categories: speaking and serving.  In the early church the elders soon realized that they couldn't do it all so they needed to have people designated to serve and those designated to teach and preach (Acts 6:1-6).  The study went on to look at more gifts but without more study, I wouldn't do a good job of discussing those specific gifts here.  My goal in this post is to talk generally about spiritual gifts.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.  

Romans 12:4-6

Sisters, it is important to remember we have all been gifted by the Spirit with different gifts.  All of the gifts work together to make the church body what it is.  One gift is NOT more important than another (Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 12:29-30).  The person who sings special music is not more important then the person who helps out in the nursery.  The preacher's spiritual gift is not more important than the hospitality gift of those working in the kitchen during a potluck.  As long as they are using the gift(s) God gave them, they are doing what they are supposed to do. (As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:10-11) 

If you are not sure what gift(s) God has given to you, there are a few resources I can recommend.  For most of these, you can fill them out online or on the computer and get a result but unless you are a member of the church from which the resources came I would recommend that you not submit your final results.

• Spiritual Gifts Assessment from Brook Hills
• Ministry Giftedness Survey from Bethlehem Baptist
• Gifted to Serve Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Definitions of the gifts can be found here: 

• Spiritual Gifts Descriptions from Brook Hills
• Gifted to Serve Spiritual Gifts Definitions

...We are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16

Complete a survey or 2, ask a friend or 2 to fill one out based on what they know about you.  Compare the results to see what your likely spiritual gift(s) are.  Your task doesn't end here though.  Once you know the gift(s) with which God has blessed you, thank God for those gift(s) and then you MUST put the gift(s) to use in and for your church body.  Talk with the leaders at your church to see where your gift(s) may best be used.  If you have a gift that doesn't appear to have an outlet in your church, ask about starting a new ministry that will best use your gift.   Remember that your gifts are about bringing glory to God, not yourself. 

This post is not a complete study of the spiritual gifts given to us by God.  Doing a study on gifts with a friend or two would be a great idea because you can hold each other accountable to use your gifts in and for the church.   Brainstorming together for ways to use your gift is a great idea.

Please comment about what you've learned about your gift and how you've been able to put the gift to work to glorify God.  Remember that in order for a body to work properly all of its different parts are needed.  In the same way that a body is more than just a set of ears, we can't all be the piano player at church.  :)

Sincerely,
Sister Jane
Psalms 18:30

A Note of Thanks

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Dear Sisters,

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I'm sort of kicking myself for not getting out and taking some pictures of the colors this fall and now it's too late because most leaves are off the trees.  Some parts of the country are even getting buried in the snow.

I love the colors of fall.  The reds and oranges in the trees can be vibrant and warming.  The coolness in the air means hot beverages to drink and warm clothes to wear.  The cooler weather is a good excuse to knit warm and wooly things.  I love fall.

Fall is also a season of thanksgiving.  Canada had their Thanksgiving holiday in October and America has theirs today.  For many of us it is a time to be with family or if family is too far away, we spend time with friends.  While together with others we enjoy a meal (whether fancy or simple), enjoy the fellowship (watching the game or working in the kitchen or stories around the table), and share out that for which we are thankful.

 Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; 

let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!  Psalm 95:2

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, 

and tell of His deeds in songs of joy!  Psalm 107:22

I hope, dear sisters, that you are thankful more than once a year.   I hope that on a daily basis you can honestly say that you are thankful for God's love and the grace that He has shown to you.  Be sure you tell Him that too.  :)

A few weeks ago during a study I was doing through Philippians, I ran across the verses at the beginning of this post.   As I read the verses I started to cry.  I thought back to events earlier in the summer when I was in pain and how even through that pain, God's peace was there.  His peace did surpass all human understanding; I can't explain it with the right words.  It was a peace that was protecting my heart and mind.  Yes, there was still pain but His peace was still there in the midst of the pain.  Through my tears I thanked God for His presence, peace, and protection during my time of pain.

Have you shared with someone else lately why you are thankful for what God has done for you?  I would like to challenge you, sisters, to tell at least one person during this holiday season about what God has done for you.  Has He protected you, provided you with peace, saved you by His grace?  Tell someone about it.

May your holiday season be full of thanks for our God and Savior.

Sincerely,
Sister Jane
Psalms 18:30

Do Pass Go!

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; 

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.  

Psalms 19:8

Dear Sisters,

A small goal was accomplished last week.  Remember back in 2012 when we challenged each other to read through the Bible again in a year?  I met that goal last week and, yeah, it took me over 2 years to do it.  I confess that I let things get in the way of my reading plan, things that distracted me from maintaining the most important relationship a person can have - the one with my Savior and Lord. 

The reason I titled this post "Do Pass Go" is because I've made the goal to read the Bible through again.  Yes, I've "made it around the board" but that doesn't mean that I should stop.  I need to continue to build my relationship with God and I can't do that unless I'm in His Word on a regular basis.  I do like the plan that I used the past 2 years but I also know that picking a different plan for this time through is a good thing.  It's like changing up where you usually go out on a date with your significant other.  New things can bring renewed anticipation, renewed joy, renewed love.

My return back to more consistent Scripture reading has brought out a renewed desire to do deeper study in Scripture.  Yea!  I've had the thought to do this for a while but I have a hard time putting thoughts into action when there is a lack of desire.  I'm thankful that the desire is there now so I can put thought into action.  And being the person that I am, I have to find the resources to help me do it right or at least better than I have in the past.  Please know that I'm not trying to sell anything to anyone but the Inductive Study Method from Precept Ministries International is really good.  I've been using their topical studies in Sunday School and with another lady at church.  I even have plans to join one of their online studies that starts next month.  What I really like about their material and tools is that they are all about what the Word says.  It's not that you can't use a commentary to learn more about what you're reading but that isn't the 1st thing that you read. Scripture is top priority, and shouldn't it be?  The important thing that I need to do is more than just plan but to put the plan into action.  Sometimes I'm not so good at the action part of plans. 

Sisters, where are you on your relationship journey with Christ?   Does it feel like it's lagging?  I want to encourage you to set aside regular time to read God's Word.  Hey, it took me over 2 years to complete a 1 year plan.  If you fall away from your readings, don't give up!  Get back on track and keep going forward.  I can't count the number of times I ran across Scripture during my readings that comforted me when I needed comfort and instructed me when I needed instruction.  I don't know exactly what God wants to use to comfort or instruction you from His Word but I do know that it is found in His Word. 

There are tons of resources out there for reading plans.  Some can even be set up to give you reminders on your smart phones on a daily basis.  I'm a check list person so I like plans I can print out to mark on when I've completed that day's reading.   Find something that works for you. 

Get into the Word today and everyday!

Sister Jane
Psalms 18:30